Category: Uncategorized Page 96 of 158

surgery, scare, waiting, news

On August 8, 2009

Yesterday morning, at 4:00 am, I woke up my room-mate with difficulty and took him to the surgery center of Mercy Hospital for his back surgery. I got him checked in and fired up my PSP to play a game. Before I could really start, one of his colleagues/friends arrived to see him before the surgery and so we chatted for a bit. While my room-mate was getting prepped, we got to go back and wish him well – and a couple of his co-workers arrived too. We had a few good laughs and sent him on his way. I was by myself for a few minutes when his aunt arrived. So, she and I waited and chatted. Ironically, I had packed myself plenty of “anti-boredom” gear – paper, books, games, etc. – and didn’t need any of it.

After a while the doctor came out and and said the surgery went well with no complications and that he was recovering from the surgery quickly.

My room-mate’s aunt and I headed up to the room where he would be staying overnight for observation. We checked in with him and helped him order lunch – then she left for a bit and I went downstairs to McDonalds for my own lunch. I made the calls to all his siblings to keep them up to date, then headed back up and kept him company. His aunt arrived later and brought him a milkshake.

She left a little after that and I stayed around until 8:00 or so before I headed home.

At 10:00, his sister called. At 11:00, his brother called.

At 3:30 AM – the hospital called and the nurse was calm, polite as one can be at that time of the morning – and told me that he’d been moved to the cardiac floor of the hospital due to a heart scare. I wrote down the info and was fortunately tired enough to go back to sleep.

At 6:30, my room-mate called with the same info – but that he was doing much better. I got up not long after that and headed back to the hospital and his new room.

The prevailing theory was that the auto-inflating leg cuffs and drugs were the cause for alarm. The drugs would drop his heart rate as he got sleepy, and then the cuffs would inflate and startle him and wake him back up. So, no big deal – but it was scary for all involved for a while. I stayed with him through the morning, then got lunch again and did some reading in the afternoon while he waited to be released. I brought him back to the apartment and I’m looking after him this evening. Tomorrow his aunt will visit and bring him at least one meal.

While he was settling back in – I got a call from my dad. Things have gotten worse with my grandmother.

The urinary tract infection continues and she has now lost the ability to swallow. Whether this is from the infection or another mini-stroke – the damage appears to be permanent. The doctors have given her a feeding tube through her nose, but since she’s already pulled that out, they need to determine a more permanent solution – in this case, a tube inserted into her stomach.

My aunt, my dad, and one of my uncles are now faced with difficult decisions. They’re going to try to find a lucid time with her and see if she can decide if she wants the feeding tube. If not, or if they can’t find a lucid time, they may look to the quality of life issues. Things are looking grim.

My sister called a little while later and though we tried to talk – there were a lot of silences. This is hitting us both pretty hard and I think we’re both feeling very helpless. I think it’s only a matter of time.

So, I’m going to make it a quiet evening and try and get some rest tonight. I’m sure to have a full day tomorrow – and then back to work on Monday.

later…

grandma, purchase, surgery

By admin

On August 6, 2009

In Uncategorized

I got an update from my mom yesterday via email – Grandma is doing worse than dad’s recent update suggested. She’s got a urinary tract infection that caused a stage 2 renal failure. Which is scary. She’s still in the hospital – but thinks she’s in prison. She had to be restrained because she keeps pulling her IV out and has kicked a nurse.

I talked to my sister last night and we’re really scared for her and at a loss on what we can do – if anything. So, I’m kinda bummed about that.

In other news… I’ve been having some issues with a recent web-order. I went to the BudK website to order a diving knife and some throwing darts. Not a big purchase or a complicated one – right around $20 – but I had trouble getting logged in. I finally had to request the password and it turned out to not be what I expected. Frustrated and slightly annoyed, I completed the order – and then realized in the confirmation email that the address was wrong – it was my previous address. Now, I’m pretty sure I’ve ordered stuff since I’ve lived at my new place so I don’t know how that got there – plus, I get the catalog at my new address.

As soon as I saw the incorrect address, I sent an email to their customer support address with the correction. The next day they replied and said the package was “ready to be shipped” and I would need to request an interception – at the cost of $10.

I was a little ticked about that, but if I didn’t, the package would go to the wrong place. I wrote back and gave them the go ahead. The replied again and said I would have to call and give my credit card number.

So, I call them and give my credit card number. They said they’ll take care of it. In the meantime, I get a friendly note saying the item had been shipped.

I didn’t hear anything for several days, so I called yesterday and asked for a status. They told me that the package had already been delivered. I asked if they had charged me the interception fee and they said someone had tried to call to say they couldn’t intercept it based on the carrier. I’m guessing they called the old number.

I asked if they had any suggestions and they told me – “you should try and stop by to see if it got delivered”.

Great.

So, I wrote up a note including my cell phone number and when to my old address – thinking I could leave the note in case they weren’t home. The current resident was just pulling in as I arrived and I introduced myself and explained the situation. He said he hadn’t gotten anything and made a show of sorts of looking on the tiny front porch. I asked if I could leave him my number and would he mind calling me if it arrived.

I left then. Could be: 1. He got the package and lied. 2. He didn’t get the package and someone else picked it up. 3. BudK never shipped it and has been screwing with me.

I’ll give this a few days to see if it shows and if he calls me. Then I’m going to write a note to BudK explaining my concerns and asking to be taken off their mailing list. It’s unfortunate since I liked the stuff they sold and the catalogues were always fun – but this time around I really felt like their customer service didn’t give a crap. And unless the new resident of my old apartment comes through – I’m out $20. Not the end of the world, but irksome.

Guess I need to find a new edged weapons supplier – or I need to learn the art of forging my own. That would be awesome.

Finally, my room-mate is going in for back surgery tomorrow – he’s having some vertebra fused. I’m the driver and caller of his relatives. He’s worried, but I think the very busy hours he’s been working recently have helped distract him.

That’s it for now… back to work.

closing

By admin

On August 5, 2009

In Uncategorized

I got in 30 laps today at the pool – and noticed a couple new signs. The work on the hot water pipes will extend at least until August 15th – so, cold showers will continue. Even worse, though, is that the rec center pool is closing for maintenance starting this Sunday for a month. And the natitorium pool is still closed.

We’ve got two pools on campus and I won’t be able to swim in either of them. Even worse, I paid for a membership for the summer and though there’s been talk about extending that because of the hot water issue – I doubt it will cover not being able to use the pool. I’m less concerned about a refund or an extended membership – I just want to swim.

Cranky.

day, grandma

By admin

On August 3, 2009

In Uncategorized

The vending machine suggested that I have a nice day and I guess I have.

No meetings today.

I got in my swim – 3/4 mile

Had a Pretzel-Dog for lunch

I’ve gotten a few projects done here at work, but it’s been pretty quiet. Got a bit of a headache, but that’s almost par for the course.

Ack! I just made a golf analogy. Gotta watch that.

In other news… Dad called over the weekend to tell me that Grandma had another stroke. It wasn’t a bad one, as far as these things go, but she’ll be in the hospital and then rehab for a bit while she tries to regain mobility in her right leg.

They’ve got her on blood-thinners, but can’t increase the dose too much or it will cause other issues. So, kind of a scary/sad time.

Almost time for me to head out of here. The headache is getting slightly worse from staring at the computer screen and I’ll be glad to exit the building and get some natural lighting.

drug, help, shoes

By admin

On August 1, 2009

In Uncategorized

There was a comment on my blog – from someone I don’t think I know – that talked about my ambien post. I think it was meant as a “if you take it properly under a physician’s care then it’s totally safe”. Ummm… that’s not what the post was about, people. This was my personal experience with someone else taking it and how it totally sucked for everyone involved. Thanks for the comment, though.

I’m currently at the funeral home where my room-mate works. He’s not been feeling well recently and with the 4 new calls he’s had to take in the past 12 hours, I offered to come with him and help in some capacity. This was essentially going to be me keeping an ear out and signing for a casket delivery – which I did. And then he asked if I could… help move a body. A pre-embalmed body.

Oh, nelly!

So, we glove up and head back to the embalming room. The dude to be moved was heavy and my help really was needed. We used some sheets to help pull him into position and then transfer him to a cot for viewing. After the family saw the guy (they were having him cremated later) – we transferred him again to the cremation box. My room-mate does this sort of thing all the time, but I’m a computer geek. I’m not used to that sort of thing, but we got though it.

Surprisingly, I was still hungry for lunch. I got us a couple of sandwiches at Arby’s and we ate in the selection room. Which was a little creepy too. I went to run some errands while he did some embalming – since there’s not a dang thing I can do to help with that part.

One of my errands was to buy some new shoes. I went to Famous footwear first and they were too expensive. I next when to DSW – and they were too expensive and had no selection. I gave up and went to Target and got a great pair of shoes for $9.99 – ’cause I’m awesome.

I think the rest of the afternoon will be spent playing games and waiting for him to finish up. I’m in the front office of the “house of fun” for the time being – unless I’m called on to move another body. 🙂

Later…

speed, algae, car

By admin

On August 1, 2009

In Uncategorized

On Friday at the pool, I decided to vary my stoke a bit while doing the crawl. I usually do a circular motion with my arms – which I know is not the way to do it – and this time I tried getting my hands to enter the water at an angle. A sort of stabbing motion into the water instead of slapping the surface and pulling through.

Hmmm… that actually sounded kinda violent. Anyway, it worked really well. I was able to go much faster and had to breath less. I was still fighting the vortex on the return trip so I didn’t set any records, but it was still an improvement.

My co-worker needed a starbucks break in the afternoon – so I went along as well. They were out of the regular tea I like so I decided to try the Green Machine flavor of Naked Juice. The list of ingredients are:

Apple juice, Mango Puree, Pineapple Juice, Banana puree, Kiwi puree, Spirulina, Natural flavor, Chlorella (I thought that said cholera when I first looked at it), Broccoli, Spinach, Barley grass, wheat grass, parsley, ginger root, blue green algae, and odorless garlic.

I haven’t mutated since I drank it yesterday. Which is kind of a bummer. It tasted okay, but it was a little pricey for the quantity.

I got my car fixed yesterday – more than I wanted to spend, but at least they were quick. (muffler and tailpipe were rusted through).

that’s it for now… later

watchtower, site, repair

By admin

On July 31, 2009

In Uncategorized

I stopped for fuel a few days ago on my way into work. I was just finishing up pumping the gas when a woman pulled around around my car to park at a somewhat strange angle near another pump. She got and approached me with a booklet in her hand.

“Would you be interested in reading…?” she started to ask and I saw it was a copy of watchtower and I began my polite but firm:

“No thank you…” and she had already turned and was headed back to her van.

I guess we both already had our lines memorized. She was gone moments later. I don’t think she even talked to anyone else there – and I’m not even sure she got fuel. Maybe she had a quota?

In other news, I added a minor update to my website about my swimming – with a few photos of me at the ocean. No links on the main page yet, but you can get there here:

http://gozips.uakron.edu/~aws/swim.html

Finally, I’m taking my car into the shop this afternoon. The muffler sounds bad and although I don’t think anything is going to fall off yet – there was a pile of rust under my car so I’m guessing it’s only a matter of time.

This week has been busy, but productive. I’ve got a few projects to work on today before the weekend kicks in.

later…

(I just did a spell check on the page – and for what may be the first time, no spelling or typing errors. Hoorey!)

ambien

By admin

On July 25, 2009

In Uncategorized

My room-mate has trouble sleeping after the long drive back. So, he decided to take an Ambien.

Now, I don’t know if you’ve heard about the side effects of this stuff – but it is seriously dangerous.

from wikipedia

He took a dose last night and fell asleep in the tub. I managed to wake him up about 1:20 AM since I had to use the bathroom and it took me a while to convince him that he was actually in the tub and needed to get out of the tub, get dressed, and go to bed.

Then things got weird. He didn’t recognize me, had no sense of balance, and was increasingly irrational. At one point he tried to choke me, but his lack of balance worked in my favor and I fought him off with a body slam into the closet door. I tried to keep him from going downstairs – afraid that he would fall – but his paranioa kicked in and he fought me on that as well. I gave up and helped him downstairs and then back up – with him fighting me most of the way. I finally got him settled and went to bed myself – with a sword at my side and a locked door. At this point, I didn’t realize he’d taken anything and figured he’s just gone insane.

This morning, I woke him up at 11:45 and asked him to explain what had happened. He had no memory of anything that had happened after he got in the tub after taking the now admitted ambien. I detailed everything that had happened and he apologized. I also made him throw out the ambien.

So, welcome back from your vacation – right into a drug fueled nightmare.

To the “Committee for the Most Understanding Roommate award” – don’t bother with a plaque, just send cash.

I forgot to ask him if he slept well – I sure didn’t.

beach trip – summary

By admin

On July 25, 2009

In Uncategorized

I did a lot of swimming on this trip – more than I’ve done in the past. I think the total was around 14 miles – not too shabby. Someone asked me what I thought about out in the ocean and the answer is – not much. I mostly just paid attention to the stokes I was using and my breathing and trying to time the waves.

I did a lot of reading – I think I got through 7 books while I was there. Spent a lot of time in the sun and got a kick-ass tan. No burn this year, I was careful.

I wore my square-cut speedos while I was swimming and while I was working on my tan. I was a little self-conscious, but only a little. The swimming over the years has paid off and I felt okay about how I looked. I’ve swum in the ocean in board shorts and it does make a difference.

In the evenings, I played a bit of PSP and enjoyed the games I brought.

Overall – I did very little on my vacation. As it should be.

beach trip – part 3

By admin

On July 25, 2009

In Uncategorized

7/19/2009

Went to Trip’s for dinner – the Crab Cake this time around had peppers in it. I spent the rest of the evening burping the taste and it was not pleasant. We headed to the Ripley’s Aquarium – which was one part lame and one part totally awesome. The had a viewing area with a saltwater tank full of sting-rays – really amazing. There were also aquariums with jelly fish and moray eels. The best, though, was the tunnel under the aquarium that was full of fish – and sharks. Amazing to see them swim overhead. And a little scary too.

One strange note – there was a sign outside about homeland security level at “elevated”. Dunno why Ripley’s Aquarium would be a target. They also had a uniformed security guard taking the tickets at the door.

45 minute ocean swim

7/20/2009

I swam twice again – the regular mile and then another 22 minutes for catch up. We went back to Drunken Jack’s again – this time with a bit shorter wait. The sever recognised us from our earlier visit. 🙂

45 minute ocean swim

22 minute ocean swim

7/21/2009

We had been told that the buoys just off the beach were part of the EPA study. So, after my regular swim and after the lifeguard was done for the day, I swam out to take a look. They were labeled “hazard area” – so, I still don’t know what they were all about. It also rained again while I was swimming.

45 minute ocean swim

7/22/2009

We were planning on coming back, but instead decided to stay an extra day. I swam for about 22 minutes before my left knee and hip started to bother me. I took a break for a bit and then swam again. Also, I had two people within 10 minutes of each other shout “shark” and point near me. I don’t know if they thought I was a shark or if they were trying to scare me – but it pissed me off something fierce.

22 minute ocean swim

7/23/2009

Return home. The drive was even longer coming back. Lots of traffic and accidents – including a pre-fab home that fell off a truck and crash on the highway. There was also a huge thunderstorm while I was driving. My room-mate was nervous, but I just kept focused on the road and we did okay. Coming back when we did will give us both a few days to recover before heading back to work.